Coulthard hints at bright future with dominant TAB Mile victory at Riccarton

Résumé détaillé

The late money for Coulthard in the Group 3 TAB Mile proved astute on Wednesday, with the Central Districts raider dashing home to claim the Riccarton feature.

Coulthard continued a great New Zealand Cup week for trainer Lisa Latta and jockey Bruno Queiroz. Photo / Ajay Berry

The late money for Coulthard in the Group 3 TAB Mile proved astute on Wednesday, with the Central Districts raider dashing home to claim the Riccarton feature.

The son of Redwood has been in a purple patch of form this spring, finishing runner-up when first-up over 1400m at Trentham in September before going one better at Hastings a month later over a mile.

After missing out on a run in the Group 3 Thompson Handicap (1600m), he went to the Foxton trials, where he won his 1200m heat, to fit him for his southern trip.

While TAB bookmakers opened Coulthard at $12 for the TAB Mile, he had strong late support and was backed into a $3.90 second favourite, and he duly delivered for his supporters.

From his wide alley, jockey Bruno Queiroz was content to ease Coulthard back to find cover and follow the hot speed set by local gelding Toa Haka.

With 600m to go, Queiroz elected to hop on the three-wide train and presented his charge four-wide at the top of the straight. Coulthard showed a good turn of foot from the 300m and charged to the lead. He extended his advantage to the line to win by two lengths over fellow Awapuni gelding Omega Boy, with a further one-and-a-quarter lengths to Iron Hawk in third.

Queiroz was jubilant with the win and impressed with Coulthard’s effort.

“It has been a fantastic job from the team working with him. Lisa is a great trainer,” he said. “She told me to just be patient and take cover. The pace was fast today so it was better for me to take cover and he flew home.”

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